Qiao Ruoxin couldn’t help but fold instantly.

"What are you being fierce for, I was just saying it casually..." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The quieter her voice became, the less confidence she had.

Mo Chen clasped her slender waist tightly, his grip so forceful it was as if he wanted to break her in half.

She felt like she could barely breathe: "Mo Chen..."

"Shut up! Sleep!"

"..."

The bedroom fell silent in an instant, the atmosphere still tense.

Qiao Ruoxin could only obediently let the man behind hold her, and without knowing it, fell asleep.

...

The Lu Family.

After Lu Xingxing got home, she sat on the sofa in a huff, facing her father.

"Dad! What kind of man is Mo Chen, to just dump me on the side of the road! How could you arrange such a match for me!"

Lu Ming looked up at his wilful daughter: "With your temper, it’s no wonder you irritated him."

"Dad! I’m your daughter, why are you taking his side instead of mine? Let me tell you, I absolutely disagree with this arranged marriage with the Mo Family!"

Lu Ming snorted coldly, "You wish. Didn’t you see that boy bringing his own girlfriend? He probably doesn’t fancy you, but I have to say, I’ve really taken a liking to him today. Good looking, strong presence, and the future head of the Mo Family, tsk tsk... a much better catch than any of those men you’ve dated abroad."

Lu Xingxing narrowed her eyes: "Dad, I feel like you quite fancy Mo Chen."

"Xingxing, you think you’re irresistibly charming; I’d like to see if you can win over Mo Chen."

"What? I don’t want to! He’s so rough, not gentlemanly at all! Besides being handsome, he’s good for nothing!"

Lu Ming continued to coax his daughter: "You two have an engagement, and you’ve seen Mo Chen in person today. Don’t you feel even a little bit excited?"

Lu Ming knew his daughter well, a lifelong member of the ’looks over everything’ club; her first criteria for choosing men was appearance.

Lu Xingxing: "..."

Lu Ming then pretended to be disappointed: "Ah well... your charm is no match for Qiao Ruoxin, who has Mo Chen utterly smitten. You can only deceive those men who live off women. A man with looks and power like Mo Chen, you can’t handle."

This reverse psychology ignited a fire in Lu Xingxing.

"Who says I can’t! Give me Qiao Ruoxin’s information; I want to see what’s so great about her!"

Lu Ming passed her a tablet from beside him: "Here."

Lu Xingxing’s eyes widened: "Dad, you got this already?"

"I’ve been looking at it for a while. The girl is pretty, with a much nicer temperament than you. It’ll be hard for Mo Chen to take an interest in you..."

"Dad! How can you demoralize yourself by praising others like that!"

After speaking, Lu Xingxing took the tablet and headed upstairs.

She was determined to thoroughly investigate what was so special about Qiao Ruoxin that had Mo Chen so enchanted.

However, tonight, she had gotten a close look at Qiao Ruoxin... She was quite pretty, but beyond that, she didn’t see any advantages.

...

The next day.

In the evening, a cocktail party.

Qiao Ruoxin was dragged by her agent to attend a cocktail party.

She held a champagne glass and absentmindedly walked onto the terrace, gazing up at the starry sky.

Those beautiful eyes hid her troubles.

Suddenly, a woman’s voice came from behind her, "Qiao Ruoxin?"

She turned to look, it was that Lu Xingxing from last night.

But she still smiled and greeted her, "Miss Lu, hello, is there something you need?"

Lu Xingxing sized up Qiao Ruoxin from head to toe. She had to admit Qiao Ruoxin was quite pretty, with a decent figure, delicate and fair skin, a girlish charm, and nice hands. Those legs truly went deep into a man’s heart.

All in all, Qiao Ruoxin could barely score a 90.

Qiao Ruoxin slightly frowned, feeling a bit uncomfortable under Lu Xingxing’s scanning gaze.

"Miss Lu, is there something you want?"

Lu Xingxing looked curious, "I’m really curious, why do you like Mo Chen? He’s so hot-tempered and not a bit gentlemanly. Aside from being handsome, does he have any other good points? How do you tolerate his bad temper?"

She just smiled faintly without speaking, and took a sip of champagne from her glass.

Lu Xingxing’s face expressed disbelief again, "Oh, right, he’s also very rich! The son of Asia’s richest man, you’re not with him just for the money, tolerating all these grievances, are you?"

Qiao Ruoxin still looked serene with a slight smile on her lips, "You guess."

"I heard you even got your stepmother thrown into jail, causing the Qiao Family’s business to falter. You’re really ruthless. Isn’t it all just because you rely on Mo Chen’s power? So even if he has a temper, you’re willing to put up with it?"

Every word implied that Qiao Ruoxin was just a vain, dignity-less, lowly mistress.

She finished the champagne in her glass in one gulp and, lifting her eyes, looked toward Lu Xingxing and countered, "Do you like Mo Chen?"

Caught off guard by the question, Lu Xingxing was stunned for a second and immediately retorted, "I would never like that kind of hot-tempered man! What does he have besides good looks? Money? The Lu Family isn’t lacking!"

Qiao Ruoxin let out a light laugh, "So what you mean is, you like Mo Chen’s appearance, right?"

"..."

Lu Xingxing didn’t know how to respond for a moment, her gaze flitting away, she stammered, "I... I do not!"

"If you like him, just say it. After all, nobody can fault Mo Chen’s looks."

Lu Xingxing’s face showed disgust, "That face is wasted on him!"

But Qiao Ruoxin laughed out loud, her laughter melodious. It seemed Mo Chen’s good looks were truly irresistible.

"What are you laughing at? I heard you’re his first love?" Lu Xingxing had thoroughly researched Qiao Ruoxin’s background the night before.

She nodded with a smile, "So what if I am?"

"Qiao Ruoxin, do you know why it’s called first love?"

Qiao Ruoxin turned and leaned on the railing, just quietly watching Lu Xingxing show off.

Lu Xingxing lifted her chin, "First love is called first love because it never lasts till the end. If this were in a soap opera, you would be a white moonlight supporting character. No matter how long you entangle with Mo Chen, there will be no happy ending."

Her brows furrowed slightly, "Do you think you are the leading lady then?"

"Heh... I’m more qualified to be the leading lady than you are. You say you don’t come from a good family background, how are you fit to stand by Mo Chen’s side?"

Qiao Ruoxin glanced at Lu Xingxing. She was too lazy to listen to this nonsense and thought she was some significant character, but it turned out to be nothing.

She turned and walked toward the center of the party.

Being ignored like this made Lu Xingxing almost laugh with anger. Her towering self-esteem was trampled upon.

She, the precious pearl of the Lu Family, was being looked down upon by this no-name female star???

Lu Xingxing chased after her, "Qiao Ruoxin, stop right there!"